My Bookshelf

This week, it was announced that an Indian, Aravind Adiga, won England's prestigious Man Booker Prize for his novel, The White Tiger. Beating out Irish novelist Sebastian Barry, whose play was performed at this year's Arts and Ideas Festival in New Haven, Adiga takes on one of India's most pressing contempory issues--the enormous difference in classes. I have not yet read the novel, but I know that the story follows the life of a poor village boy who becomes a chauffeur to one of India's elite. This disparity is everywhere in Mumbai, and it's heartbreaking, to say the least. A friend last night was telling me that he wholesales cheap jewelry to poor people from the villages who sell the earrings and other things on the streets, in the trains, or where ever. He says that he argues with them over like a one-cent discount. The poverty here is just so extreme that every last cent counts, literally. So, if anyone has read Adiga's book, I'd love to hear reactions and know whether I should add it to my bookshelf.

Speaking of which, I've taken a shot of some of the books on the shelf these days. Right now, I'm reading Karen Armstrong's introduction to Islam and a biography on Mahatma Gandhi. (Oh, and struggling to learn and practice Hindi.) I stronly recommend Armstrong's book, as it's been really eye-opening to read about what a peaceful faith Islam is at it's roots, but has been plagued by modern misinterpretations and misrepresentations. Also left to read is The Good Earth, which came highly recommended from my good friend Todd Meagher, and Jumpa Lahiri's new book, Unaccustomed Earth. Lahiri, an Indian-American, is an amazing writer and a master at the short story craft. Definitely read Interpreter of Maladies, if you haven't yet.

Anyone else out there reading anything good?